Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) (Submariner)

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Submarine Service
Branch:Engineering
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Technology
Engineering
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At a glance

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£5,000

For earning your ‘Dolphins’

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6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

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£21,000+

The minimum you’ll earn after training

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Extra pay

Submariner pay each day at sea when fully qualified

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£54,000

Earn over this amount as you progress

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Travel

All around the world

What you’ll do

As an Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) (Submariner), you’re the driving force of the boat. It’s down to you to keep our submarines moving, deep below the surface. You’ll often be on highly sensitive operations, where avoiding detection is paramount. Without the power you provide, the vessel, and your crewmates, are stranded.

It takes a unique engineering effort for a crew of more than 100 people to stay submerged for months at a time. As well as maintaining the vessel’s nuclear reactor, you’ll play an important role in sustaining the water purification and air circulatory systems that make it possible for the submarine to dive.

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 607 55 55

Your role

  • Be a key part of the immense engineering effort that goes into keeping a submarine operational, from providing power for the engines, to maintaining crucial water purification and air circulation systems.
  • Find innovative and resourceful solutions to complex problems, applying the engineering skills and knowledge you gain, in challenging environments.
  • Get your hands on some of the most sophisticated equipment on the planet, working with your team, and under the guidance of the Engineer Officer.
  • Complete daily rounds, checking equipment to ensure the submarine remains operational. You’ll need to be precise and pay attention to detail, because even the smallest mistake can have a big impact.

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • A Level 2 Apprenticeship in Performing Engineering Operations.

Opportunities open to you

  • Study for GCSEs, then A-Levels in subjects including English, Maths and Science. 
  • Gain specialist vocational - such as a A Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture.
  • Eventually, you can work toward a degree like Mechanical Engineering, depending on your career progression.

Skills you'll develop

  • Enhance your natural abilities, to become a resourceful and innovative technician.
  • You’ll learn to maintain and operate some of the most cutting-edge kit on the planet, and become familiar with interesting, sophisticated mechanical and electrical systems.
  • Learning about how the entire boat works makes for an interesting role, and wide-ranging expertise.
     

Career progression

Phase one training

10 weeks at HMS Raleigh, learning basic military skills

Phase two training

Develop your professional skills, and earn NVQs

First year

Complete your journal and learn on the job

First promotion – Leading Hand

Further training, more responsibility, lead junior ratings

Second promotion – Petty Officer

Become a manager, take responsibility for defect diagnosis

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You must be aged between 16 - 39
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • British National (or hold Dual Nationality iaw UKSV policy)
  • You need to be a minimum height of 157cm
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • A quick thinker, with a passion for working with the latest equipment and technology
  • A problem-solver, with a common sense approach
  • A real sense of adventure, and the ability to thrive within a team
Check Eligibility

Starting your career

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest, we’ll be in touch to discuss your options

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

     A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform

  • Medical and eye tests

    These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors

  • Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)

    This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh

more about the joining process

Find out more

Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get yourself as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.

more about initial training

Find out more

Professional training

Once you have the essential military and maritime skills under your belt, it’s time to start your specialist training. First, you’ll spend 33 weeks at HMS Sultan, where you’ll learn how the machinery on a submarine works, and how to repair, and even make components. 

After successfully completing your professional training, you will then commence your Submarine Qualification (SMQ) at HMS Neptune, Faslane, Scotland near Glasgow; the home of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service. You’ll learn about submarine operations, including: warfare, weapons, nuclear propulsion and escape training, and go to sea in a submarine. After this, there’ll be a test to check your knowledge. When you pass, you’ll earn your ‘Dolphins’ – the coveted badge of a qualified Submariner.

more about professional training

Find out more

Request your application
Register your interest
Call 0345 607 55 55
Find your local AFCO

Need more information?

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